Getting to Know Your Florida Cities
Chapter 3: What services do cities provide?
|
This program brought to you by the Florida League of Cities is intended to familiarize those new to and interested in municipal government. The League is the official organization of municipal governments in Florida, designed and established to meet and serve the needs of Florida’s municipal officials.
Note: DVD visuals are indicated in olive green. The remaining text indicates DVD audio.
|
Visual: Common City Services
Common services provided by many cities throughout Florida can be grouped into three general categories: public services, public safety and transportation.
Visual: List each service as it is described.
City public services include: water and wastewater treatment, growth management and parks and recreation. Water and wastewater treatment is a service that is often taken for granted by city residents. This service is responsible for making sure the water you use is clean and sanitary, whether it is for drinking, brushing your teeth, or washing your car.
Visual: Images of parks and recreation.
Parks and recreation facilities come in various forms and include playgrounds, parks, baseball fields, golf courses, swimming pools and more.
|
Visual: Images of police officers and firefighters.
Public safety services include police and fire protection, code enforcement, and building inspection. The city service of code enforcement regulates city ordinances, including occupational licensing, fire, building, zoning and sign codes. Building inspection is a very important service that includes inspection of plumbing, electrical, safety and other features that ensure structures are free from danger.
Visual: Images of mass transit - trains, metro systems, ships, buses, etc.
Our last category of city services is transportation. Transportation in your city includes the construction and maintenance of roads, parking facilities, and bike paths. It also includes the operation of city buses, railroads and other vehicles of mass transit.
|
We have seen many of the common services Florida cities provide to its residents. Now, let’s take a look at some less common city services. You might think every city has a library and a cemetery, but think again. Cities provide these two services through their Home Rule powers and are provided according to the needs of the local community.
Some aspects of transportation not mentioned before include ports, airports and transit systems. Again, the need of the community determines whether or not such services will be provided. In Florida, local governments have strong intergovernmental relationships, which exists on various levels.
Visual: Did you know?
The City of Apalachicola was home to Dr. John Gorrie who invented the ice-making machine in 1848, an offshoot of his attempt to cool the hospital rooms of his feverish patients. Refrigeration and air-conditioning would be his legacy in the next century.
The City of Mascotte still has only one sidewalk, which was built in 1925 or 1926.
|
Back to Top
| DVD Home | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 |
|
